Data Classifica... What?

Not sure what level your data is? Do you know how to store it correctly? And do you share it with others in a secure way?

On this page, you will find version 2026 of the data classification model approved by the Digitalisation Committee.

To personer arbejder sammen om en computer og en notesbog.

Data Classifica... What?

Data Classification

Quiz your way to the right level

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If you find that the information you are working with contains more than one level, always follow the instructions for the highest level of your information.

Data Classification

Cheat Sheet

Please note: This overview is designed to provide a quick summary of general data and its classification level. When it comes to personal data, the assessment is based on larger volumes of data. This means that you may end up classifying your data too highly if you rely solely on the cheat sheet.

If in doubt, it is recommend that you take the quiz above, which can provide a more accurate estimate of your data’s classification.

You should always consider whether your data may be subject to regulations such as copyright law.

Data Classification

Cheat Sheet

Where do I process my data?

You can use the overview below to find out where you can process your data. First, use the data classification above to classify your data, then scroll through the solutions below to find the appropriate storage for your data. The list is regularly expanded as more systems are assessed. Find the extended overview here.
* Systems marked with this symbol have a preliminary assessment.

AAU has systems for data classification level 4, but these require a specialised setup. If you have data that is classified as level 4, please contact IT Security via the Service Portal.

Level	1	2	3	4
AAU Filesender
Fileshares*
WorkZone
Ucloud*
AAU-email in cloud			(max 30 days)
REDcap*
SurveyXact*
TAAURUS
Zoom
AAU-managed PC			(only locally)
DeiC Filesender
Git-svn*
Microsoft Office 365
iCloud*
Sciencedata.dk*
AI Cloud*
Other cloud services*
Strato
NVIVO*
Panopto*
Moodle

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has a new data classification model been created?

The research area at AAU is constantly evolving, and in recent years, the university's researchers have gained new opportunities to work with data that is of a socially important or critical nature (e.g. defence and military data).

The old data classification model with levels 0-3 was primarily based on personal data and did not include the appropriate measures for handling data of an even more critical nature.

Therefore, a major effort was initiated to develop a new data classification model at Aalborg University that could accommodate the exciting opportunities that the research area in particular attracts.

What about the data or system I have already classified?

Please take a look at the new data classification model and use the tools to easily reclassify your data. In most cases, the level will remain the same.

If you are unsure about where your data fits in, please feel free to ask your questions via the Service Portal.

For systems that have been assigned a data classification level according to the old model, the system owner or administrator should:

Try out the quiz if you are unsure about the current level of the system's data.
If the level changes and there is uncertainty about the future use of the system, create a service request in the service portal.
IT Security will contact you to determine whether a (new) risk assessment needs to be carried out.
The system will be risk assessed according to the new classification and mitigating actions may be required before the system can be approved.

How does the new data classification model relate to the old one?

Broadly speaking, the old four-stage model has been boiled down to the new levels, which are called 1-3, and a whole new level 4 has been added.

This means that many existing classifications will remain the same:

Classification 0 in the old model is now level 1.

Classification 1 remains either 1 or moves up to 2.

Classification 2 remains either 2 or moves up to 3.

Classification 3 will remain level 3 in most cases.

Previously, there was no classification level that could accommodate the new level 4. Therefore, there is no direct correlation with the old data classification model at this level.

Where can I get help?

Generative AI and Security

Generative AI tools are everywhere - here you can read more about how generative AI and security interact. You can also learn more about some of the most common AI products and what kind of data you can use with them.

Data Classifica... What?

Data Classifica... What?

Quiz your way to the right level

If you find that the information you are working with contains more than one level, always follow the instructions for the highest level of your information.

Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet

Where do I process my data?

Level

1

2

3

4

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has a new data classification model been created?

What about the data or system I have already classified?

How does the new data classification model relate to the old one?

Where can I get help?

Generative AI and Security

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